ZCZC HFOTCDCP5 ALL TTAA00 PHFO DDHHMM Tropical Storm Ema Discussion Number 2 NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI CP012019 1100 AM HST Sat Oct 12 2019 A ball of deep convection has persisted over the center of the tropical storm through the morning, with several microwave passes indicating an improved structure - most notably the 1436Z and 1721Z SSMI passes. Subjective Dvorak intensity estimates are wide-ranging, from 2.0/30 kt to 3.5/55 kt, while ADT from UW-CIMSS is 2.7/39 kt. With a nod to the microwave passes indicating an eye-like feature, the initial intensity estimate for this advisory has been increased to 45 kt. The initial motion estimate for this advisory is 350/11 kt. The increased vertical depth of the cyclone has allowed the south to southwest flow aloft (provided by mid- and upper-level ridges to the northeast and east, respectively) have greater influence on the short-term track. There is little change to the forecast philosophy presented earlier, with Ema moving into an area of increasing southwesterly wind shear after about 24 hours as it moves north of these ridges, and a sharp trough aloft deepens to its west. This will lead to weakening of the cyclone that will result in a turn toward the northwest as it becomes shallow, and increasingly steered by a surface high centered well to the northeast. The system is still expected to dissipate over increasingly cooler waters in 48 hours as the vertical wind shear persists. The updated track forecast is close to the previous, and closely follows the reliable dynamical guidance. The forecast requires a Tropical Storm Watch for portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 12/2100Z 21.1N 163.9W 45 KT 50 MPH 12H 13/0600Z 22.0N 165.2W 40 KT 45 MPH 24H 13/1800Z 23.3N 167.0W 35 KT 40 MPH 36H 14/0600Z 25.6N 169.1W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 48H 14/1800Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Birchard NNNN